EPA Reconsideration of MATS NESHAP and Utility NSPS

The EPA has taken final action on its reconsideration of certain issues in the final rules , “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units and Standards of Performance for Fossil-Fuel-Fired Electric Utility, Industrial-Commercial-Institutional, and Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam Generating Units.” The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule is referred to as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) NESHAP, and the New Source Performance Standards is referred to as the Utility NSPS. EPA had received petitions for reconsideration of certain aspects of both the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS.
On November 30, 2012, the EPA granted reconsideration of, proposed revisions to, and requested comment on a limited set of issues. At that time, EPA also proposed certain technical corrections to both the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS. The EPA has taken final action on the revised new source numerical standards in the MATS NESHAP and the definitional and monitoring provisions in the Utility NSPS that were addressed in the proposed reconsideration rule. EPA is also made certain technical corrections to both the MATS NESHAP and the Utility NSPS. EPA has decided not to take final action on requirements applicable during periods of startup and shutdown in the MATS NESHAP or on startup and shutdown provisions related to the PM standard in the Utility NSPS.
The effective date of the rule is April 24, 2013.